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Los Angeles FC

Three things we learned from LAFC rout of Vancouver Whitecaps

LAFC brushes off an early setback, tries to stay hungry during dominant season

Los Angeles FC completed a 6-1 rout over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night. Here are three things we learned from the match:

Pick up the pieces and move on

Very early in the match, a communication error between goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega and defender Dejan Jakovic allowed Vancouver to earn an early goal. In that situation, players could argue among themselves, leading to further defensive breakdowns, but that wasn’t the case for LAFC. Both players came together and quickly discussed the situation and made necessary adjustments. 

“There was a misunderstanding early, but the response was awesome,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said of the play. “We kept playing football. I loved the fact that Pablo [Sisniega] and Dejan [Jakovic] just had a quick word with each other and continued.”

Never stop improving

LAFC are on the path to set several all-time MLS records by the end of the season: wins, points and goals scored. The club has scored 11 goals during its past two matches, but that does not stop the team from pushing to get stronger.

“The most important thing is that we keep improving, we keep seeing improvements,” midfielder Lee Nguyen said. “Bob [Bradley] and the coaching staff are so detail oriented on all our games. You see from day one, since preseason til now, it’s always the mindset of getting better than the day before.”

Managing minutes

LAFC is in the middle of a stretch of four matches within a 1o-day stretch, so rotating the roster and protecting players will be key. Incorporating more players into the fold will help prepare them to contribute more, if needed, during the end of the season or MLS playoffs. 

“We know that if we don’t win the MLS Cup, then this doesn’t mean anything” forward Carlos Vela said of LAFC’s current success. “We know this is a long year. We have a stretch with a lot of games. We have to be mentally ready to fight every game. We want to try and involve every player in the squad. We want to follow this model of play because we’re enjoying it.”